Saudi Arabia joins Zain’s One Network, the leading mobile operator announced today the launch of its operations in Saudi Arabia. In March 2007 Zain, MTC then, announced that it made the highest bid for the third mobile licence in KSA after its offer of $6.1 billions to tap into the richest country in Arabia.
Zain is one of the largest mobile operators in the Middle East and Africa with more than 45 million subscribers in 22 countries, and the new development shows their ambitious plans to expand and reach more consumers, I read on the Arabian Business that they are targeting 150 million subscribers in three years, which will position among the top 10 mobile operators in the world.
Last year, MTC rebranded all mobile operators under its umbrella under one brand - Zain, it was an amazing project, 21 companies with like 7 or 8 brands, all under one name. Personally I liked the new name, their campaign faced a lot of criticism, but however I found it interesting, specially this TV commercial, it’s one of the very best advertisements in the Arab world.
Forbes has issued a list that featured the richest Royals in the world, below is the ranking along with the net fortune, you can also see the photo of each one sorted from left to right, up to down.
1: King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand - Net worth: $35 billion
2: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan of United Arab Emirates - Net worth: $23 billion
3: King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia - Net worth: $21 billion
4: Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei - Net worth: $20 billion
5: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai - Net worth: $18 billion
6: Prince Hans-Adam II von und zu Liechtenstein of Liechtenstein - Net worth: $5 billion
7: Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani of Qatar - Net worth: $2 billion
8: King Mohammed VI of Morocco - Net worth: $1.5 billion
9: Prince Albert II of Monaco - Net worth: $1.4 billion
10: Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman - Net worth: $1.1 billion
11: Prince Karim Al Hussein - Net worth: $1 billion
12: Queen Elizabeth II of U.K. - Net worth: $650 million
13: Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait - Net worth: $500 million
14: Queen Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard of Netherlands - Net worth: $300 million
15: King Mswati III of Swaziland - Net worth: $200 million
What could piss oil countries off? Prices? Production? Consumption? Nissan Tiida? A new offensive piece of advertisement for Nissan Tiida triggers the anger of Gulf countries. The new Israeli TV commercial shows Arabs attacking and cursing the car because of its low fuel consumption.
The Arabian Business reports that officials in Saudi Arabia were talking about boycotting the car because of the TVC, personally I felt it’s offensive and stupid, and didn’t make any sense, I mean even if the car consumes less fuel, is it going to make Gulf countries poor? And it’s not like there is an expiry date on oil, it will be used sooner or later.
It reminded me with an ad for Toyota that was done by Saatchi & Saatchi in Poland.
Saudi Arabia joins Zain’s One Network, the leading mobile operator announced today the launch of its operations in Saudi Arabia. In March 2007 Zain, MTC then, announced that it made the highest bid for the third mobile licence in KSA after its offer of $6.1 billions to tap into the richest country in Arabia.
